Port Everglades: No more room for weekend cruise ships

January 29, 2012|By Doreen Hemlock, Sun Sentinel

In the tussle for bragging rights as the world's busiest cruise port, score one for the Port of Miami.

Miami beat out Port Everglades for Disney Cruise Lines' first ship in South Florida, because the Fort Lauderdale seaport had no room some weekends to host Disney's Wonder this winter season, Port Director Phil Allen said.

"If everyone wants to sail on a Saturday or a Sunday, there's not enough space," said Allen. "We didn't have those days available, so they went to Miami."

Port Everglades has been closing in on Miami's lead as the world's No. 1 cruise port, posting a 50 percent jump in annualcruise passengers in the past decade. Port Everglades hosted 3.6 million passengers on multi-day cruises — versus 4 million in Miami — in the 12 months ending Sept. 30.

Broward County wants more cruises because many passengers stay before and after their voyages, boosting area hotels, restaurants and stores.

The Fort Lauderdale port made strides since 2009 by becoming home to the world's largest cruise ships, Royal Caribbean's Oasis and Allure. It signed long-term contracts with Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruise lines.

But those commitments mean Port Everglades is full some weekend days in peak season at all eight berths that can handle large cruise ships, said Allen.

Disney confirmed "port availability for the itineraries we wanted" influenced their decision. But Disney might consider Port Everglades later for cruises with different sailing days, a spokeswoman said.

Weekend space could open at the berth MSC Cruises is leaving.

MSC is moving its Caribbean sailings to Miami in fall 2013 because its space at Port Everglades is too small for a new larger ship coming. Its pier at Port Everglades needs to be lengthened and its terminal improved — both projects on tap in the port's next five-year plan, port officials said.

Cruise specialists see other factors influencing ship deployment.

Miami-based Stewart Chiron of CruiseGuy.com said ships appealing to international passengers may prefer Miami because its airport is a major gateway for overseas flights and Fort Lauderdale's is not.

But others counter both ports are close and giant Oasis and Allure welcome half their passengers from abroad, many of them landing in Miami.

Everglades charges cruise lines between $12 to $20 a passenger, which includes a fee for facility improvements. Port of Miami charges $11 to $13 a passenger and no improvements fee, said PortMiami Director Bill Johnson.

Miami's Johnson said the "friendly competition" keeps both ports "on their toes." But what really matters is luring new business to Florida — like Disney's ship, formerly based in Los Angeles.

Cruise consultant Rod McLeod calls the rivalry "a bit of an intramural sport." Both are world-class, and while travelers usually sleep near the port where they sail, tourists also move around. "It doesn't mean people who cruise out of Port Everglades will never see South Beach."